We woke this morning to rain and lots of it! But that didn't stop us - we braved the umbrella sellers (one right outside our hotel door - cheeky buggers!), the ridiculously crowded buses and the weather to see Papa Francesco!
He's the one right in the middle in white!
We had to jump a fence to get into St Peter's Square (which isn't actually a square) and we arrived about halfway through mass. There were lots of people in interesting outfits with banners and processional crosses - there was even a marching band or two! Luckily we got a spot out of the rain (cos we weren't game to jump a second fence) to watch the end of mass. After mass the Pope did a lap in the Popemobile and then greeted lots of people before heading in out of the rain. The way he greeted the elderly, the disabled and children was really lovely. People would reach out to hug and kiss him and he'd return the gesture whilst his security entourage would be freaking out in the background!
After surviving the crowds and having a bite to eat we headed to the HOHO bus. There's about four different companies in Rome so it was a big decision to make. We eventually chose this one...
...because it was the only one that went here...
St John Lateran
St John Lateran is the Cathedral of Rome and therefore the mother church of the Catholic Church. As the Pope is the Bishop of Rome it's the Pope's Church. There has been a church on this site since the 4th Century.
We also visited the Basilica of St Mary of the Angels and Martyrs (built by Michelangelo around the 16th Century) which includes interesting tributes to various scientists, including Galileo, and a meridian line, a sort of sun dial.
We jumped back on the HOHO bus and, because we hadn't seen enough churches, we headed to mass at St Ignatius of Loyola, part of the Jesuit headquarters in Rome.
St Ignatius of Loyola
The most interesting feature of this church is that it's ceiling is an optical illusion! It looks like a dome but it's actually flat - clever artist!
Then off to Piazza Navona for dinner and a wander.
The beautiful Fountain of the Four Rivers by Bernini - Piazza Navona.
We headed back to the hotel via the Pantheon (yes another church!)...
...and the Trevi Fountain to throw in some coins and have gelato - what else do you do at the Trevi Fountain?!
A busy Sunday in Roma!
Posted with Blogsy
Missed me? Went looking for you all over Frankston when you disappeared again after getting on a bus in Villers Bretteneux. Much as I tried I couldn't join the blog in all that time - they haven't got wifi in Frankston. Had to give up the search and come back to Casterton. Was missing Aunty Irene and Girl Joel. And there you were in Roma all along. Three Bond girl selfies in two days. Welcome back. You're on the big enormous two door fridge already. Song for the day: Three coins in a fountain Question - now that you've been on most of them, which city has the best Hoppy busses?
ReplyDeleteThank God you're back Andrew. Was about to send someone to your house to check you hadn't locked yourself in that new double door fridge. Probably no WiFi in there either. Jo & Col , hard to believe you are nearly half way through your trip. What wonderful places you have been to. To happen to arrive at Papa Franks mass was a real bonus even if you did have to climb the fence! How many churches have you visited? Which has been your favourite?
ReplyDeleteIn case you didn't guess that was FOA. Pressed the send too quickly. Cheers
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